Sean Dyche says Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be key weapon in survival battle
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action with Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be a real weapon in Everton’s desperate battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, manager Sean Dyche said after the striker returned to the scoresheet in a chaotic 2-2 draw at Leicester City on Monday.
The injury-plagued 26-year-old scored a penalty in the 15th minute to put his side in front, his first goal since October, and gave the Toffees the sort of cutting edge they have sorely missed.
Dyche was delighted to have him back in the groove, even if the draw did little to alleviate Everton’s relegation fears.
“Dom looked sharper and quicker and will be a real weapon for us,” he told Sky Sports.
“His true fitness is coming back, he looks strong and alert.”
Everton, the lowest scorers in the Premier League, certainly looked far more potent than usual but a 13th away league game without a win left them second from bottom on 29 points with four games left.
They have an awkward run-in too, beginning next Monday at Europe-chasing Brighton & Hove Albion, and are in danger of losing their place in the top flight after a 69-year residency.
Dyche added that he knew what he was getting into, however, and appears up for the fight.
“We held our nerve, kept trying to create things,” he said.
“Overall, it’s a good performance, although we didn’t get the three points we were after.
“I didn’t come here for a walk in the park, I knew it would be a challenge.
“The only crime tonight was two really soft goals but the mentality is what we want from the team.”
Dyche is almost certain to be without 34-year-old captain Seamus Coleman for the last four games.
The experienced defender was carried off on a stretcher just before half-time due to what is expected to be a serious knee injury.
Leicester City’s English striker Jamie Vardy shoots and scores his team’s second goal.
PHOTO: AFP
Leicester, meanwhile, are not safe from relegation themselves.
The Foxes are in 16th place but just a point ahead of Everton.
Dean Smith’s men equalised seven minutes after Calvert-Lewin’s penalty when Caglar Soyuncu fired home.
Jamie Vardy’s clinical finish then gave the home side the lead in the 33rd minute before a manic end to the opening half, in which Everton missed two open goals and Leicester playmaker James Maddison had a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford.
Alex Iwobi dragged the Toffees level with a volley nine minutes into the second half.
“There were times I felt it was two points lost,” said Smith.
“And there were times I felt it was a point gained.
“The game became a bit like basketball. And we were counter-attacking at home, which is not what we want.
“I was disappointed, there were just so many unforced errors.”
REUTERS
